Litter box design, placement, and management profoundly affect cat welfare and are a primary driver of house soiling problems.
Inappropriate litter box management is a primary cause of house soiling, which often leads to relinquishment or euthanasia of affected cats. Most house soiling in cats has a behavioural rather than medical basis rooted in litter box aversion. Providing appropriate numbers, size, location, and cleanliness of litter boxes meets the cat's needs and prevents the welfare problem entirely in most cases. Medical causes including lower urinary tract disease must always be excluded first when house soiling occurs.